Todd Frazier hit two homers, including the first of Cincinnati’s three off Lance Lynn, as the Reds beat the Cardinals 6-2 on Thursday night, taking three of four in their final series of the season. Jay Bruce and Shin-Soo Choo also hit solo homers off Lynn (13-10), who lasted five innings and gave up three homers. Frazier also connected off Seth Maness.
David Freese homered for the Cardinals, who have lost six of eight. With first-place Pittsburgh idle, the Cardinals slipped to 1 1/2 games behind the Pirates while the Reds moved to 3 games out. The Cardinals play Pittsburgh this weekend.
Lynn had already beaten the Reds three times this season, and the Cardinals had won the previous seven series between these two teams. However, Lynn continues to struggle in the second half. He has lost his last four starts, giving up 19 runs in 23 innings.
The Cardinals did got some encouraging news before the game. Cleanup hitter Allen Craig has a sprained left foot, but nothing is broken. A timetable for his return is unknown.
After this final series with Pittsburgh, the Cardinals finish the stretch with 15 of the 19 games against teams with sub .500 records. Washington is the only team left after this weekend with a winning record. That should bode well for the Cardinals as they limp towards the finish line.